TechRadar - Portable devices newsTechRadar UK latest feedshttp://www.techradar.com/rss/news/portable-devices
(c)2017 Future Publishing LtdFuture Syndication Engine 1.159Thu, 14 Dec 2017 02:23:15 +0000http://assets.futurecdn.net/img/future-tag.pngTechRadar - Portable devices newshttp://www.techradar.com/rss/news/portable-devices
The best Amazon Kindle deals for Christmas 2017http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/portable-media/kindle-deals-1296345
http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/portable-media/kindle-deals-1296345Retailers are slashing the prices of the older Kindle models.Fri, 01 Dec 2017 01:40:00 +0000techradar.comThis is TechRadar's dedicated page for Amazon Kindle deals. Here you'll find the cheapest Kindle deals for all models, whether it be for the classic ereaders or the Fire tablet versions. We cross check every model of Kindle with every retailer every day to pull in the best deals so that this page is always up to date with the cheapest prices.

You'll find the latest prices from a wide range of retailers for the latest Kindle ereaders. We've found the best prices on the basic yet impressive regular Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite and you'll also find the best deals on the more luxurious models of the Kindle Voyage and Kindle Oasis. Want more functionality from your slate? Then take a look at our best iPad deals.

We've highlighted a few prices on multiple Kindle devices below. Keep looking further down the page though and you'll find extensive price comparison charts on every model, complete with details and advise about the device.

What makes a good Kindle deal?

If this is your first Kindle, you'll be wanting to know - how do you tell a good Kindle deal when you see one? Luckily, there are so many good ones out there it's pretty easy!

The early Kindle ereaders don't have LCD screens or powerful internal components which means they're usually a lot cheaper than tablets and phones. The lack of a glass screen is fantastic for glare-free reading though and an immediate improvement over using the Kindle app on your phone or tablet.

The Kindle Voyage normally has a price of about US$220/£170/AU$299 so if you can get it for cheaper than that you're onto a winner. After that, there isn't a huge difference in features so it all depends how much you want to spend. If you can find the Kindle Paperwhite for under US$120/£110/AU$169 you're getting a good price, while the Kindle 2016 model (which has all but disappeared from Australian stores) has a fairly static price of US$80/£59, but every now and then it dips lower. With the new Kindle Oasis model arriving recently, we may see the older models' prices drop soon.

For the tablets, the best thing to do is just work out how much you want to spend and pick up the model that sits closest to your budget. The HDX models are the good ones so do go for one of those if you can.

What do 'Special Offers' mean on the Kindle listings?

When looking at a Kindle ereader listing, whether it's on Amazon's website, or on a different retailer's site, you'll often see 'includes special offers' in the title or item description. Choose without special offers and the price will jump up £10/US$20.

Essentially, these Special Offers act as Amazon-based screensaver-style advertisements on your Kindle device. So when you pop your Kindle on from sleep mode you'll see an ad for a book on Amazon's Kindle store, or maybe a third party ad.

Annoying right? Actually, I opted for with Special Offers (I do love a cheap deal), and it's not bothered me one bit. You can swipe the ad away easily (no trying to find the tiny X icon here) and get on with your reading straight away. When in sleep mode, the ads cycle on the screen, but they're not illuminated and they don't seem to consume any power. They don't slow anything down when powering on the device after shutdown either.

Seeing as they don't interfere with the experience at all, I'm glad I didn't spend the extra £10 to block them. Hey, some of them (sales ads etc) have been worth clicking through to. If you really don't like them though, you can always pay the difference at a later date to get them removed. So we'd opt for the cheaper 'includes special offers' option first.

Here are the best Kindle deals currently available...

Kindle Paperwhite deals

The best standard Kindle ever is a value-for-money winner

The 6th generation Kindle Paperwhite is the best standard Kindle yet, it's the most cost effective ereader on the market and it easily beats the Kobo Aura on performance and design. Unlike the cheaper model, this one comes with screen lighting. Amazon has managed to create a fast e-ink tablet with inventive reading apps. You can lookup words in the dictionary without leaving your page, or even flick through any relevant Wikipedia entries for most words or terms. The latest version's screen is now just as good as the more expensive Voyage model. As far as value for money goes, this is the one to beat.

Amazon Kindle (2016) deals

The new 2016 Kindle (also known as the 'All-New Kindle' and ‘Kindle Touch 2016’ in Australia) is the updated version of the entry level Kindle last released in 2014. If you want the cheapest option, this is the one you should go for as the 2014 version has been discontinued and any deals you see are probably for preowned or refurbished units. With prices starting around £60/US$80/AU$109 you're getting a bargain. The 2016 model is also available in white (the 2014 was black only), it's lighter, thinner, has double the RAM speed and double the storage capacity at 4GB. The lack of a lit screen is the only thing holding it back really.

Kindle Oasis deals

The luxury waterproof ereader you've been waiting for?

The reinvigorated all-new Kindle Oasis costs US$249/£229/AU$389 for the cheapest Wi-Fi version. This is an upgrade over the older Oasis (which is no longer available) and a huge improvement. It's 15% cheaper, bigger and also the first waterproof kindle, arguably justifying the top end price-tag. The Kindle Oasis is also the first kindle to support Aubidle audio books, although you'll need a pair of bluetooth wireless headphones to use this feature as there's no built-in speaker or 3.5mm headphone port. This new Kindle ereader's 7-inch screen makes it the largest in the current Kindle range and tempting for readers wanting to view a larger page, meaning you won't have to turn pages as often. The page turn buttons are given a wider bezel on the side than the Kindle Voyage, making it easier to hold one-handed - the screen will flip over to accommodate left-handed readers too. The considerably cheaper Voyage and Paperwhite models are excellent alternatives and feature the same screen resolution. That larger screen and waterproofing for peace of mind are pretty tempting though.

Kindle Voyage deals

A modest improvement over the Paperwhite

The Voyage used to be the most expensive Kindle around before the Oasis arrived, but at least we're seeing the price drop now. Amazon's Voyage is still one of the best ebook readers available. It's more compact than most other Kindles and the screen is sharper than the standard Kindle. Although, the latest version of the far cheaper Paperwhite now comes with the same 300ppi screen, leaving this model looking a tad overpriced by comparison. Modest improvements on the Voyage include a flush display making the device easier to keep clean, adaptive screen lighting for easier lighting adjustments and additional page turning buttons.

Amazon tablet deals

Want something a bit more advanced than a Kindle ereader? If your needs are a bit more media-intensive as you want a handheld device for gaming, viewing movies (especially on Amazon Prime) and browsing the web, an Amazon tablet could be for you. Naturally, there's a Kindle app, but the glass screen can be a hindrance for extended reading sessions.

Australian readers should note that these Fire tablets aren't available Down Under.

Amazon Fire 7 deals

Amazon's most popular Fire tablet

Sitting at the budget end of Amazon's Kindle tablet range, the Fire 7 is generally the cheapest of the lot as it doesn't have a HD screen. Amazon has just refreshed the Fire 7 range though and it now comes with Alexa, the virtual assistant from the Amazon Echo devices. You can also have different profiles - some for the kids - through Amazon FreeTime.

Amazon Fire HD 8 deals

The All-New Amazon Fire HD 8 is an improved beast

For this low price, the Amazon Fire HD 8 is one of the best tablets around, especially if you're happy to jump into Amazon's ecosystem. Mobile gamers will appreciate the improved tech inside the more recent versions as it comes with more storage, 50% more RAM and a 1.3GHz processor. Better yet, the 2017 edition seen below now comes with integrated Alexa - the excellent virtual assistant from the Amazon Echo range. You're not paying any more for the privilege either, so we'd only recommend the latest version.

Amazon Fire HD 10 deals

The All-New Amazon Fire HD 10 is a much-needed upgraded

The new and improved Fire HD 10-inch tablet finally joins Amazon's other Fire tablets with the 'All-New' treatment. This is good news for buyers as this replacement is cheaper than the scant few deals available for the old Fire HD 10.

The cheapest model now comes with 32GB of storage instead of 16GB, has a clear full HD 1080p screen and has twice as much RAM to run even faster than before. All this and the RRP comes in at just £149/$149. The headline feature though is the introduction of the voice-controlled Alexa app (one and the same as the Echo devices) to the tablet.

We're a bit sad to see the old aluminium body go, as it looks a little less premium with the plastic finishes (black, red and blue available at launch so far). But seeing as we'd be putting a protective cover on it anyways, it doesn't really make any difference when we think about it.

Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition

Got tech-hungry children, but don't want them to get their grubby mitts on your tablet or phone all the time? The Amazon Fire Kids Edition tablet could be the answer. In addition to enhanced durability (look at the size of that housing), it also comes with a two-year guarantee, which covers the tablet -even if the kids break it- no questions asked. There are plenty of software safeguards too, such as making sure they can only watch appropriate content online, adjustable screen-time limits and access to loads of age-appropriate games.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition

Bigger and better than the Fire 7 Kids. You're getting a larger screen with HD visuals. The sound is better too as the mono speaker has been banished for Dolby Atmos and dual stereo speakers. The battery has been boosted up to around 12 hours, compared to the eight offered by the smaller model and you get 32GB of storage instead of 16GB. You're still getting that same tough build quality and two year guarantee too. Come on, don't make your child grow up with SD visuals. Doesn't everyone deserve HD, even if they are going to smear jam all over it and throw it around a bit?

We check our Kindle deals every day to make sure they're always up to date and available!

]]>The best Bluetooth headsets 2017http://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-bluetooth-headsets
http://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-bluetooth-headsetsFrom the affordable to the amazing, these are the best Bluetooth headsets around.Wed, 29 Nov 2017 23:35:33 +0000techradar.comSmartphone technology is advancing at a breakneck pace – adding new features and technologies that make every facet of our daily lives just a little bit easier. However, there is one little feature of smartphones that has gone relatively unchanged even in the face of all of these new innovations: the simple act of actually talking on the phone. Luckily, the best Bluetooth headsets can help remedy a lot of the inherent issues in talking on the phone. Some will even make it so that you don’t even have to reach in your pocket to make or take calls.

No matter what task you have at hand – whether you’re walking, working, driving or even running, there will be a Bluetooth headset that will make you enjoy talking on the phone again. And even if the protruding plastic shape doesn’t fit your aesthetic, there are some great Bluetooth headphones that function in a similar manner. Plus, these headphones are much better suited to listening to music in between phone calls. But at the end of the day, the best Bluetooth headsets are still one of the best ways to talk on the phone – especially if you need to multitask.

The best Bluetooth headsets will go a long way to making phone calls a breeze, but finding a great headset among the masses can be quite a challenge, as the market is absolutely saturated. Even if some devices look almost identical, the features and functionality can vary wildly. It can just be difficult to tell how well your experience will go, even if most Bluetooth headsets will work with pretty much any modern phone.

But you can rest easy, because we’ve taken the liberty of gathering all of the best Bluetooth headsets you can buy today so that you don’t have to worry about wasting your time or money on a useless accessory. We’ve tested all of these headsets ourselves, so you know they’re great devices.

(Editor's note: If you're looking for a hands-free solution AND want better audio clarity from your mobile device, check out our list of the Best Bluetooth earbuds, many of which offer a built-in microphone for phone calls on top of higher-quality audio components.)

The Jabra Motion has phenomenal call quality, which is definitely the most important thing that a Bluetooth headset can be good at. The sound quality isn't perfect but with motion and environment-sensitive noise-cancelling it performs well even in loud environments. It's also easy to sync, set up and use. It also has a battery that will last you 7 hours of continuous calls, so even during a busy day of work, it won’t let you down. The Jabra Motion might come with a pretty high asking price, but it’s a small price to pay for all of these great features. Just make sure to try it on before you buy, as despite being adjustable for size and wearable on either ear it won't be a perfect fit for everyone.

The Plantronics Voyager Legend is getting on a bit but it's still one of the very best Bluetooth headsets around. It's designed with comfort in mind, so you can wear it for extended periods without it bothering you and it sits securely in place too, so it won't fall off. It's also completely hands free, as caller ID will announce the name of whoever is calling you and you can simply say "answer" to take the call. Its noise-cancelling is effective even in busy environments and multiple microphones ensure strong voice quality, for a great all-round Bluetooth headset.

Plantronics simply makes phenomenal Bluetooth headsets, which is why it should come as no surprise that this isn’t the first Plantronics headset to make it on the list of the best Bluetooth headsets, and it certainly won’t be the last. The Plantronics Voyager Edge is built to be compact and discreet, but there is a huge amount of tech built into this tiny package, including three microphones and a boom arm for stellar voice quality. Like the Voyager Legend the Edge also supports voice commands (with multiple language support) and it's smart enough to know when you're wearing it, so if you put it on when you get a call it will automatically come through on it. NFC makes for quick and simple pairing and it does a great job of cancelling out background noise. Its small size does mean its battery life isn't exactly on the same level as some competitors, but at six hours of talk time it's still very passable.

The Plantronics Voyager Edge may be small, but the Jawbone Era is tiny, so if you really don't want it to be obvious that you're wearing a Bluetooth headset this is the one to go for. Not only is it small, but it also fits snugly in your ear and is in no danger of falling out. You could even wear it while jogging. Then there's NoiseAssassin, which cleverly detects vibrations in your skin, so it can tell the difference between you talking and the background noise, enabling it to completely mute everything around you. It's clever stuff, though it occasionally has issues staying in contact with your skin, and like the Voyager Edge the battery life isn't the best.

The Plantronics Marque 2 isn't as feature packed as some headsets on our best Bluetooth headset list, but it gets the basics right and does a bit more besides. It's small, comfortable to wear and can last for up to seven hours of calls, which is a great start. It can also be used to deliver voice prompts from GPS apps, can be connected to two devices simultaneously and features noise-cancelling technology, though it's not quite as good at this as some rivals. It's not overly stylish and sound quality is good but not great, but with such an affordable price tag it's a very solid buy.

The Plantronics M55 is a truly budget headset, but you get a lot for your money. While it doesn't have a premium build it's perfectly comfortable to wear, it supports voice commands for truly hands-free use and the sound quality is good, especially when aided by the built in noise-cancelling tech. The M55 also has a DeepSleep mode which activates when it's separated from a paired smartphone for 90 minutes and leaves it with up to five months of battery life, but simply bring your phone within range and it will quickly wake up again.

With a talk time of over eight hours the Jabra Wave is a Bluetooth headset which just keeps going and going, making it a great choice if you're going to be away from a charger for an extended period. Its fairly large size means it's not the most discreet of headsets, but it's a worthwhile trade-off for all that battery life. It also features strong audio quality and is good at suppressing noise, especially wind. Add to that easy pairing and the ability to connect it to two devices at once and the Jabra Wave is a good option.

With excellent call quality and the ability to pair it with both a smartphone and a PC simultaneously the Jabra Supreme UC is an effective and versatile headset. You can switch between sources by holding the end call button for two seconds and that allows you to almost seamlessly switch between using it for a phone call or other services like Skype and Google Hangouts. The faux-leather ear pad makes it comfortable to wear, though isn't quite as secure as in-ear headsets and it features great call quality and effective noise-cancelling, along with voice controls for just about everything, so it really is the complete package.

]]>Bose adds Soundlink Micro to its family of mobile speakershttp://www.techradar.com/news/bose-adds-soundlink-micro-to-its-family-of-mobile-speakers
http://www.techradar.com/news/bose-adds-soundlink-micro-to-its-family-of-mobile-speakersBose has added a tiny new Bluetooth-enabled rugged portable speaker to its lineup of Soundlink products.Wed, 29 Nov 2017 11:52:40 +0000techradar.comBose has added a tiny new member to its Bluetooth-enabled portable speaker line-up. The SoundLink Micro is the company's smallest speaker to date and comes with an IPX7 waterproof rating.

The Soundlink Micro speaker uses Bluetooth to connect to your iOS or Android device and lets you playback music, answer calls or bring up Siri or Google Assistant.

Bose claims that "no other Bluetooth speaker this small sounds as good" and that "you'll never want to leave it behind."

Packed with a new custom transducer, miniature dual-passive radiators, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the Micro delivers up to 6 hours of audio from an enclosure that measures 9.83cm wide and deep, 3.48cm high and weighs just 0.29 kgs.

The Bose Micro is waterproof from the inside out and is made to withstand soapy water, chlorinated water, and salt water. Its silicone exterior protects it from scratches, dents, falls, dust and dirt.

Micro also works with Bose Connect app that can sync with other SoundLink speakers for Stereo Mode (left-right channel) or Party Mode (to play music simultaneously).

The new SoundLink Micro comes in black, midnight blue, and bright orange. It will be available from 29th November for AED 499 (US$135) at Bose retail stores and authorized Bose dealers.

]]>Best Kindle: which ereader should you buy?http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/best-kindle-and-ereaders-1320453
http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/best-kindle-and-ereaders-1320453Screw the printed word - it's all digital now. These are the best Amazon Kindles and ereaders around.Fri, 10 Nov 2017 15:00:00 +0000techradar.comUpdate:We've now included the new Amazon Kindle Oasis that features a waterproof design, offers a great reading experience and even plays audiobooks.

If you want a device to read your ebooks on, the market isn't particularly crowded right now. Amazon has taken over the ereader game with its Kindle products and we've curated a selection of our favorite you can buy right now.

Some Kindles have risen to the top through a combination of slick performance, stunning screens and attractive prices.

Others wallow at the bottom, bogged down by cumbersome interfaces, high costs and disappointing displays. So we've put together this list so you can avoid them and only buy one of the best Kindles out there right now.

Note: we've ranked these from cheapest to most expensive according to prices at time of writing.

The Amazon Kindle, or all-new Kindle as Amazon calls it, is the most basic and affordable ereader the company sells, coming in at just £59.99/$79.99 (about AU$105).

And it's not much different to the previous model, which means you get an adequate (but not backlit) touchscreen, a long lasting battery and plenty of space for all your digitial tomes, plus an intuitive interface, that makes navigating your books a breeze.

Where it's improved is in the design - 2016's model is slimmer and lighter than what's come before, so even though you could essentially be carrying an entire library with you it won't even feel as weighty as a single paperback.

Amazon's also given its latest basic model a power boost, for fairly snappy performance. It's no match for the Oasis, Voyage or even Paperwhite, but at just over £50/$65 it doesn't have to be.

Why should I buy it? Because you want a bargain and can live without the backlight and sharper screen found on pricier Kindle's.

The latest version of the Kindle Paperwhite is the best we've ever seen with a beautiful 6-inch HD display that has 300 pixels per inch and 4GB of storage, meaning you can keep thousands of books on one device.

The Kindle Paperwhite is almost the closest you can get to real paper while getting all the benefits of an ereader. You have access to Amazon's huge library of books and you can even use the Kindle Unlimited rental service on the Paperwhite.

There's a built-in light and you're not going to get any screen glare when reading it in bright sunlight. The battery isn't as good as the last version as it only lasts six weeks, but that said it's still a very good amount of time to get reading your ebooks.

Why should I buy it? If you're looking for one of the best screen experiences on an ereader and you want to be able to read in bright sunlight, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is your choice.

The Kindle Voyage was once the top of the heap, but it's been bettered by another Amazon offering, the Kindle Oasis.

When this launched, it was essentially a perfected version of the Kindle Paperwhite, with the same interface and features but an even better 300ppi screen. Now the Paperwhite has that screen it's difficult to justify spending the extra on the Kindle Voyage, while the Oasis has a brand new beautiful design.

This one does come with a uniform backlight, an ambient light sensor and PagePress buttons, which allow you to navigate a book without lifting a finger.

It's even got a sleek 7.6mm thick build making it the best looking Kindle ever. All that comes with a high price tag and like other Kindle's the Voyage lacks a microSD card slot, but this is still arguably one of the most premium ereaders you can buy.

If you read a lot and, crucially, have the money to spare, this is the clear choice.

Why should I buy it? If you're looking for a premium Kindle experience, but not by spending as much as you would on an Oasis, go for this.

The Oasis sits as the most expensive option in the Kindle range, above the Kindle, Paperwhite and Voyage. At almost four times the price of the standard Kindle, you're spending a lot of money here… but it's worth it, and there's a new generation that's cheaper than the original Oasis too.

If you're looking for the most comfortable ereader experience you can ever have this is the best one for you. It has a brand new design that's now made of aluminium and is also waterproof, so you can read in the bath or next to the pool while you're on holiday.

It's thinner on one side, which makes it even easier to hold in one hand. There's a vibrant display with 300 pixels per inch and a fantastic backlight that makes it the brightest Kindle yet.

The battery is all inside the latest Kindle Oasis (there's no charging case like on the 2016 version) so you'll get six weeks standby life and we found it lasted a whole week with a few hours reading a day.

Plus you can now listen to audiobooks with Audible too, but you'll need to have a Bluetooth speaker or pair of headphones to hook up as there's no speaker or 3.5mm headphone jack.

This will cost you quite a bit more than all the other ereaders on this list - but if this is the device you use every day to absorb your tomes, why not spend that little bit extra?

Why should I buy it? Because this is the ultimate ereader experience you can get right now with the best screen, a waterproof design and the most useful features that money can buy.

]]>Apple Pay UAE: Everything you need to knowhttp://www.techradar.com/news/apple-pay-now-available-in-the-uae
http://www.techradar.com/news/apple-pay-now-available-in-the-uaeApple has officially rolled out Apple Pay support in the UAE with EmiratesNBD, Mashreq, HSBC and other banks.Tue, 24 Oct 2017 03:16:59 +0000techradar.comUpdate: We've modified the list of merchants supporting Apple Pay in the UAE based on the latest information communicated to us directly from Apple.

Apple's plans for global contactless payments domination have taken another step forward with the arrival of Apple Pay in the UAE today.

The service is available on Macs that are 2012 or newer for online payments as well as iOS devices such as the iPhone SE, iPhone 6 and later, and Apple Watch.

Which banks support Apple Pay in the UAE?

At launch you'll be able to set up Apple Pay will through Visa or Mastercard from the following six banks:

Emirates NBD

Mashreq

HSBC

RAKBANK

Standard Chartered

Emirates Islamic

More banks are expected to join and, considering that Apple Pay supports American Express in other regions, it's probably a matter of time before that is also supported in the UAE.

Where can you use Apple Pay in the UAE?

According to Apple "tens of thousands" of locations are supporting Apple Pay in the UAE. Some of these include:

Virgin Megastore

Caffe Nero

Marks & Spenser

Sharaf DG

Homecenter

Splash

Max

Babyshop

Freedom Pizza

Talabat

The ENTERTAINER

Apple Pay also works on some of the apps developed in the region such as Ounass, Namshi, and Babyshop.

Based on amount of usage we were able to get, weight, size and overall functionality, we tested a variety of chargers by mixing around charge times with an iPhone 6, iPhone 5, iPhone 4, Samsung Galaxy S4 and iPad 4 in different situations to create a list of the best portable chargers - though most of the external batteries are compatible with an assortment of phones, tablets, cameras and handheld gaming devices.

We've also added a few chargers towards the end of the list that are more suitable for a day out rather than a long trip away, just in case you're just looking for a super light, quick backup charge.

Prices are also always dropping and new portable chargers keep getting released, so keep checking back to see what else we've updated and added!

Additional testing by Alex Williams.

Jackery Giant

Price: $39.95, previously $44.95

The bright orange (or silver option) Jackery Giant lives up to its name as a hefty charger weighing in at 10.4 ounces (the same as the IOGEAR GearPower) but also because it's a heavyweight champ in other ways as well.

For the large 10,400mAh capacity, it's one of the cheapest chargers you can get. The Giant also travels well and can be taken on outdoor adventures thanks to its ability to hold a charge for a long time, though you'll need to charge the battery itself a whole night (about 10 hours) for a full charge beforehand.

The battery also packs a little LED flashlight which can be activated by pressing the power button twice (to avoid accidental usage), and is pretty handy if you're camping or need to find something in a flash.

The Jackery Giant did a good job charging our S4 and iPad 4 simultaneously - 10% to 95% and 47% to 96% in about two and a half hours, respectively. What's more, it even had enough juice to charge up the iPhone 5 up, with two light bars remaining.

If you're only planning to get the Giant as an occasional backup, it will hold a charge for up to six months.

Lumsing Power Bank (LUM 008-01)

Price: $25

With an unbeatable price tag, a high-powered 10,400mAh battery and moderate weight of 8.35 ounces, the larger capacity Lumsing Power Bank (LUM 008-01) is debatably one of the best portable chargers on the market.

The sleek white eggshell color (which also comes in black and champagne gold) and ergonomic design is thick but smooth to the touch, with edges accented in a silvery finish. On its side, the device has two USB ports at 1A and 2.1A, and one Micro USB 5V input used to power up the device itself. Press the oval button on the LUM 008-01's side, and four blue LED lights illuminate, each indicating 25% battery life.

We put the LUM 008-01 to the test by dual charging two different smartphones at the same time: our iPhone 4 at 70%, and our HTC One (M8) at 60% with the Spotify app running in the background.

The LUM 008-01 used 25% of its total charge, powering both phones to 100% with an average of two minutes and thirty seconds for each 1% recharge. When testing alone with our iPhone 4 at zero percent on standby, the LUM 008-01 used about 15 to 20% of its total energy and took an average of 51.5 seconds per one percent recharge.

If Lumsing has anything to be proud about, it's this.

Lumsing Power Bank (PBJ-6200)

Price: $13

Possibly one of the most affordable portable charger on the market, this Lumsing Power Bank is almost the size of an iPhone 6 in length, and weighs in at 6.49 ounces. It's small enough to carry around in your pocket, and can charge two devices with its two USB ports at 1A and 2.1A.

The 6,000mAh charger comes outfitted with a brushed silver aluminum shell with blue outlining on the top and bottom portions (it also comes in black with an orange outlining.) Like the LUM 008-01, pressing the side button of the charger illuminates four small blue LED lights each representing units of 25% power. On closer inspection, the PBJ-6200's body seems to be a little bloated in the middle.

The PBJ-6200 roughly used 30% to 40% of its energy and took an hour to fully charge our iPhone 6. We fully charged our iPhone 6 again when it drained to 30%; the PBJ-6200 then showed two lights left. Finally, we used up the PBJ-6200's remaining power by giving our iPad mini a 52% charge.

Despite taking about five hours to charge at 100%, the PBJ-6200 is incredibly inexpensive with decent charging capabilities.

Juno Power Hue Plus

Price: $59.99, previously $99.99

The 9900mAH Hue Plus from Juno Power is a bit on the heavier side at 9 ounces like the other larger capacity chargers but it's well worth shouldering the weight.

The Plus has a nice little LCD screen that tells you the declining charge amount which comes in handy if the usual indicator lights just won't do it for you.

There are also two USB ports (with one being 2.1A) that allow for dual device charging. On a road trip to LA, the Plus was more than capable of charging two iPhone 5's - where one phone was used heavily and one used minimally. The charger ended out the nine hour trip with 19% left and took the night to recharge, which brings us to the next point.

Oddly, the Hue Plus makes whirring noises when recharging - though it's best to keep in mind that it may be specific to the test product. Another note about recharging the portable: you may want to keep it away from your bedside table as the LCD screen stays lit up.

The Hue Plus also appropriately comes in five different hues.

IOGEAR GearPower Ultra Capacity Mobile Power Station

Price: $45.96, previously $79.95

IOGEAR's GearPower Ultra Capacity charger is a great portable battery. Two USB ports at 1A and 2.1A allow for multi-device charging and at 11,000mAh, you can easily charge a phone and tablet respectively.

Though it's not very pocket friendly at 10.4 ounces and a tad bulkier than an iPhone and Galaxy S4, this is still an adept portable and great for traveling long distances in the car or plane.

In fact, we took the battery to a two-day music festival and it had no issues charging two iPhone 5's that were around 10% each, during the 48-hour span of Instagramming, phone calls, etc. After a 55 minute charge at the end of the first day, each phone was fully charged with the GearPower lights at three bars indicating that it was still able to keep going for a few more days - depending on what needed to be charged next of course.

The price point may seem high but the GearPower can be bought at much cheaper prices making it a fantastic deal for long trips away from outlets.

ZAGGsparq 6000

Price: $55, previously $99.99

The ZAGGsparq 6000 charger is still a decent backup, despite a few caveats.

Its 2.1A USB outlets got the job done efficiently with two smartphones and it was able to hold a charge the next two days.

Unfortunately, the 6000mAh isn't too great with tablets and was only able to charge an iPad from 25% up to 60% before dying down to one LED light of juice left.

Not only is the ZAGGsparq small and light, but it's also wide, making it awkward to carry if using a purse or small bag - though if in a backpack, you'll hardly feel it.

The built-in prongs make it easy to charge and means there's one less cord to lose, which is actually really quite nice, and its on/off switch is accident-proof, meaning you won't randomly turn it on and waste your charge.

Mophie Juice Pack Powerstation Duo

Price: $99.95

Easily one of the pricier chargers, the Juice Pack Powerstation Duo from Mophie is still a nice little 6000mAh portable. At 11.99 ounces it actually feels lighter than its battery counterparts despite weighing the most. Because of this, it makes for a great travel companion as you can hardly feel it in your bag.

Two 2.1A USB ports allow for quick dual charging of tablets and phones, which it was quite capable of during our trips to and from the office; 0 percent battery on the iPhone and Galaxy S4 were raised to around 88% - 95% each after an hour, and it still had two lights left.

The Mophie also stayed light as a feather in our backpack though its smooth exterior did collect a lot of lint meaning it's probably a good idea to use the little pouch the battery comes with.

The biggest downside to the Mophie Powerstation Duo is its price. If you can afford the Duo, it'll serve you well, but if you want to go cheaper, Mophie has a nice little selection and from our experience with the high cost charger, it seems like the low cost options aren't too bad either.

Anker Astro 3E 10000mAh

Price: $25.99, previously $39.99

It seems like it's go big or go home for the Anker Astro 3E. Like the Jackery Giant, the Anker Astro 3E is a beast of a charger and won't easily fit into your coat pocket.

Though it is a bit thinner than the other batteries on this list, it's still longer than the length of your average smartphone.

The Astro boasts the ability to hold over six charges for most smartphones - we were able to get about four with two smartphones simultaneously thanks to its two USB ports, and a third of a charge for our tablet by itself over four days before the Astro died, which isn't too shabby for 10000mAh.

Keep in mind, since it's a bit larger, it's not really a small bag type of portable - but a long trip will definitely benefit from the Astro, and it still won't take up too much room inside your bag with all your other tech devices.

Eton BoostBloc 6600

Price: $36-$65, previously $99.99

The high-priced Eton BoostBloc 6600 is a modest charger that surprisingly holds 6600mAh for how small it is.

Its lightweight 6.5 ounces means its purse friendly and maybe even pocket friendly (for jackets at least) if you don't mind carrying something else besides your phone around, that has a bulky form factor.

It has two USB ports, 2.1A and 1A, and no on/off button, and you can shake the device for the indicator lights to pop on and tell you how much juice is left.

The BoostBloc 6600 holds charges for quite awhile and was able to charge up our iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S4 from around 20% - 25% to 100% twice on one charge, and iPad 4 about halfway before giving out.

You'll probably have to charge the BoostBloc often if you plan on using it on tablets and phones simultaneously, but the portable charges up quickly (and gets pretty hot) - this shouldn't be too much of an issue especially if you plan on taking it with you everywhere.

Powerocks Rose Stone

Price: $39.50-$42.50, previously $69.99

With 6000mAh, the Powerocks Rose Stone charges up around the same as the BoostBloc 6600 and boasts the same lightweight portability. However, it's longer than the BoostBloc, so it will probably be best off in a bag.

Going along with the geological theme, the indicator lights are little rock-like formations next to a camouflaged power button, making this charger quite different and fun (as much as a battery can be?)

There are also two USB ports but each only gives off 1A, so charging will be a bit slower.

But that doesn't mean the Rose Stone will leave you hanging out to dry - the battery was able to give us great juice charges on our smartphones three times on one charge. The iPad 4 wasn't as lucky though and had to charge on the next round and only from 15% to 65%, probably due to the output volume.

So as a portable, the Rose Stone is best for smartphones and does quite well, but you're better off with a Powerocks charger with a larger capacity if you're interested in this brand and design.

Outdoor Tech's Kodiak 6000

Price: $49.95

With a fitting name, the Kodiak 6000 by Outdoor Tech is a silicone wrapped rubbery and ruggedized USB power bank that you wont feel guilty about roughhousing with.

Though bulky and weighing 9.4 ounces, the Kodiak is a unique portable charger, advertising itself as dustproof, shockproof and waterproof. The device is covered with a hinged silicon lid, promising IPX7 waterproofing when closed, and IPX5 when opened - it's submersible in water up to three feet for 30 minutes.

Under the Kodiak's lid on top is one USB output at 2.1A, which is adjacent to an embedded power button. Press the power button once without using the ports, and the Kodiak illuminates four green LED lights each representing a 25% charge.

With a 6,000mAh capacity, the Kodiak took an average of three minutes and 59 seconds for each one percent charge for our iPad mini, and was able to supply it with one and half full charges (150%) before running out of juice. We also fully charged our iPhone 4 in two hours and twenty minutes, using only 20% of the Kodiak's power.

Despite the price and singular USB port, the Kodiak makes up for its durability to survive the great outdoors as well as provide about five full charges for your smartphone.

Dark Energy Reservoir

Price: $99, previously $129

The Dark Energy Reservoir, an 8,000mAh battery pack, has USB ports are used for charging your devices, and the microUSB port between them is used for charging the device itself.

Once your devices are plugged in, you just press the power button on the Dark Energy Reservoir and they'll start charging. If there aren't any devices connected and you press the power button, the light indicators will glow to show you how much juice is left in the thing. There are three dot lights, each dot represents about 33% of battery life.

Belkin PowerPack 4000

Price: $49.95, previously $99.99

A well known brand for supplying electronic accessories, Belkin's largest capacity portable charger surprisingly only holds 4000mAh.

The PowerPack 4000 is still able to do a fairly decent job though, and is definitely one of the most lightweight and convenient batteries at 4.6 ounces. In fact, even though the battery is pretty wide, there were times it was hard to find in our bag since it's still remains so compact.

We were able to charge our smartphones up completely from about 10% each, twice in two days before needed about three hours for the PowerPack to recharge. It was also able to charge up the iPad a little over halfway.

The PowerPack's main issue is the price point: For Belkin's current price (though you can definitely get it a little cheaper by shopping around), the capacity should at least be bigger. But we suppose transportability comes at a price.

RAVPower KnightRider 14000mAh

The Knightrider was able to charge our Samsung Galaxy S4 and iPhone 5 completely in about an hour and a half using the two USB 2A and 1A ports.

It also was able to power our iPad during an hour-long train ride providing ample time to use the tablet, and charge it afterwards up to 87% before giving out.

The battery is a pretty powerful device and like the Jackery Giant, comes with a useful flashlight which could serve as a great backup if there's an outage or if you need an extra light on hand in the dark.

It's also fantastically priced for a large capacity battery that's been really useful for commuting and will definitely do well on long trips away.

Hue Kard

Price: $34.99, previously $39.99

Think thin and light when it comes to the 4.4 ounces Juno Power Hue Kard. At 7.5mm, it's the ultimate portable phone charger. If you're already comfortable with having a smartphone sticking out of your pocket, then the Hue Kard will feel like nothing.

The Kard is also an efficient little thing, and was able to charge a near dead (four percent) iPhone 5 at a rate of a percent and a half per minute. It was also able to charge up the S4 a little over half way after fully loading up the iPhone.

A neat feature of this sleek portable charger is the on/off switch - rather than a physical button, the Kard boasts a nifty touch "button" which shows the battery's indicator lights, and starts the charging process.

The back of the Hue Kard also can serve as a mirror much like the older gen iPods - but like the older iPods, may end up a bit scratched up from use. Still, it may be useful while it lasts and at least the Kard will remain a handy portable.

id America L.E.D. (Light Energy Dock)

Price: $79.99

Standing for Light Energy Dock, the id America L.E.D. is a 5,200 mAh portable charger that doubles as a flashlight for when you're on the go.

The charger weighs 5.4 ounces and is equipped with high-output, low-consumption L.E.D. lights with three different brightness settings all controlled by the tap of your finger. A little circular charging dock is included which props the L.E.D. straight up.

The L.E.D. is quite useful as a light when you're reading a book in your bed at night. The built-in magnets were a nice touch in mounting on the metal lining of our desk, perfect for charging devices within reach.

There is no way of knowing how much battery life is left in the L.E.D. beyond just directly charging the device itself from an outlet. You'll know when the L.E.D. is fully charged once the slit LED light at the end of the device transitions from red to blue.

The L.E.D. quickly charged our iPhone 6 at an average of 53.7 seconds for every one percent recharge. When solely testing with our iPhone 6 alone, the L.E.D. gave back a total of 303 percent battery life - about three full charges.

Unfortunately, the steep price, lack of power indication, and cumbersome 8-inches (20.32 cm) is damaging when compared to other portable chargers.

Apelpi - Opso Plus

Price: $25.95, previously $49.99

Boasting one of the most unique designs, Apelpi's MFi Apple certified Opso Plus charger is a fun little portable. But don't let its pretty appearance fool you - this little apple's got a powerful bite.

At 6400mAh, the Opso Plus can charge your phone quite nicely on the go and at 5.6 ounces, it fits great in a bag - however, there is only one 1A USB port meaning it's a bit slower, and it can't fully charge a tablet. According to the company, Apple would only allow one port for MFi certification, thus sacrifices had to be made.

We took it with us to charge our Samsung Galaxy S4 battery on a 50 minute train ride, and it went from seven percent to 100% with two LED lights left allowing for at least two more charges the next day.

Additionally, though the power button is an ingenious little stem on top of the Opso, there were moments where it seemed a bit precarious sticking it in a bag for fear of breaking the stem off.

Despite this, if you need a moderately priced, nicely designed portable charger then consider Apelpi - an Opso a day will keep your phone's dead battery away.

Jackery Mini

Price: $19.95, previously $24.95

The Jackery Mini is the counterpart to the Jackery Giant and works just as great for those moments where you don't want to lug the monster around.

It will fit nicely anywhere and works well with both the iPhone and S4, however it's not a good option for tablets since it's only 1A and 2600mAh.

We were able to get two charges for each smartphone on one full-up Mini, which is quite good for the little portable. Because it's smaller, the Mini is able to recharge must faster too.

The power button may be accidentally pressed a lot (which was the case with us) so be wary of running your battery, but aside from that, the Jackery Mini is a really compact charger for when you're on the go.

Powerocks Magicstick

Price: $18, previously $49.99

Similar to the Jackery Mini, the Powerocks Magicstick is about the same length and width but rounded.

The Magicstick also has a slightly larger capacity at 2800mAh so we were able to get two and a little over a half charge for each smartphone.

Like the Mini, the Magicstick recharges quickly so you don't have to wait all night for a portable battery.

It's a little heavier as well but definitely not enough to be noticeable. The power button on this works like a small flashlight - you press one end which lights up letting you know if its charged up, with different colors telling you how much juice it has.

RAVPower RP-WD01 Wireless WiFi-Disk

Price: $36.99, previously $44.99

Basically, the traveling person's dream portable, this guy can do it all.

Though not as physically small as the other tiny chargers, this 3000mAh RAVPower made the list for being able to read SD cards and turn into a Wi-Fi hotspot making it a powerful compact combination when you're in need of more than one device.

It's also thin and light as a feather so you'll hardly feel it, and it won't take up room in your bag.

The charger works great and was able to fully charge a low battery S4 in one go. However, it definitely needs to be recharged often so it's probably best to use it intermittently while using the other features.

The card reader and Wi-Fi hotspot also worked quite well, and were able to power on and connect to our smartphones without too much hassle.

]]>Best power banks of 2017: 14 portable phone chargers we recommendhttp://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/other-devices/best-portable-chargers-14-we-recommend-1291966
http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/other-devices/best-portable-chargers-14-we-recommend-1291966For those dire moments when you need to charge your device on the go, check out these TechRadar recommended portable chargers.Wed, 18 Oct 2017 21:44:00 +0000techradar.com For any tech lover or frequent traveller, a power bank is a must-have accessory. There are loads of models available, and the latest all support fast charging.

Other more specialised power banks can charge laptops, have USB-C ports, and support tech such as Qualcomm’s Quick Charge.

To help make choosing a power bank easier, we tested 10 models, from affordable to high-end with niche feature sets.

A big problem with power banks is that the actual battery cells and charging circuitry inside some lesser brands can be of low quality, and not actually provide the rated capacity. However, many power banks tested have batteries that (when new) are giving more than their rated capacity, which helps even it out.

How we tested

We logged the power produced on a static load. Due to efficiency losses, the output capacity will be up to 10% less than the rated battery capacity.

As a comparison, we also calculated each power bank’s ‘mAh per dollar’ score to help assess the overall value – higher is better.

Dell Power Companion PW7015M

Price: $179

Charging laptops alongside USB devices is very useful, but some models are not supported by the ‘universal’ power banks.

The Dell Power Companion solves that issue, with a 18,000mAh or 12,000mAh (as tested) power bank with dual 2.1A USB ports, as well as laptop charging.

The unit plugs in between your laptop and its PSU, rather than having its own charger. This is a great setup, as it means the unit is always charged (though tops off the laptop first), and automatically kicks in if mains power is lost.

It comes with both the large and small Dell power tips (and charges from either) – or there is also a USB-C version.

Using a large to small tip adapter, we were also able to charge an HP laptop. In testing, the Power Companion outputted an outstanding 100% of its rated capacity via USB.

The Power Companion is more expensive than most laptop charging power banks, but is still a must-have purchase for on-the-go Dell laptop owners.

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank Pro

Price: $69

While most power banks support 5V 2A fast charging, the Xiaomi Power Bank Pro steps it up a notch with Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0.

The tech is only supported on some phones and tablets for now, but allows devices to charge at 9V or 12V, rather than just 5V 2A. Even better, the power bank itself can be quick charged with a compatible charger, for quick top ups.

The unit has a 10,000mAh capacity, and a single USB Type-A port. It also has a USB-C connection, but it only works for charging the power bank, not as an output.

Importantly, it does support passthrough charging, and can even charge itself from a phone. The power bank can also be used to charge compatible laptops that use USB-C.

The Mi Power Bank Pro managed to output a very impressive 99% of its rated capacity. It’s also the lightest and smallest power bank tested for the capacity, measuring in at 130 x 75 x 12mm, and weighing just 225 grams.

Thermaltake Luxa2 P3 Power Bank

Price: $60

Shipping with a snap on case for an iPhone 5, the super slim Luxa P3 is also quite powerful. The 2,500mAh battery has an excellent 2,432mAh available.

While only just enough to give many Android phones a full charge, it will top off your iPhone 5 with power to spare, or more than double your run time.

It also has enough power to charge your tablet (albeit not a full charge) and puts out up to 3.67 A - the highest out of our tests.

The sleek little unit is stylish and well-built and comes in black or silver. It comes with a Micro-USB cable and organiser, but no iPhone cable, so you need to use your existing one.

Huntkey Ezy Go Pocket Size Power Bank

Price: $23

While the lowest capacity power bank tested, the slim little Ezy Go still manages an impressive 1,824mAh of real-world charging.

It's enough to almost fill your iPhone or give your Android a significant boost. Impressively it can output 2.63 A so can handle your tablet, though not for too long.

It comes with a micro and mini USB multi cable, as well as a pin style plug for your old Nokia. Keep an eye out as it's often on sale for under $20, making it a bargain.

Jackery Force 420 Pro

Price: $104

Until smartphone manufacturers figure out how to give us decent battery life, powerbanks are essential for travelling.

The glitzy Force 420 Pro from Jackery is Apple- and Android-compatible, and has enough oomph to juice up your MacBook.

Thanks to its enormous 20,100mAh battery, it’ll power up three devices simultaneously in case everything’s suddenly gone completely dead.

TP-Link TL-PB10400

Price: $49

Rather than a flat form factor, the TP-Link TL-PB10400 has a tall, rectangular shape that measures in at 89mm x 44mm x 44mm and weighs 241 grams.

While not great for slipping into a pocket, the power bank does sit well in car and bag drink holders.

Hidden inside is a large 10,400mAh capacity, with four LEDs to indicate the charge level.

The power bank has dual USB ports, with one rated for 2A and the other for 1A. It charges via micro USB (and includes a cable), handling a 2A current.

One handy feature of the TP-Link is an inbuilt LED torch, which is activatable by holding down the power button.

In testing, the TP-Link power bank outputted 98% of its usable capacity, and had no problems supplying over 2 amps. It also supports passthrough charging, though the side location of the micro USB input makes it hard to charge in a bag.

The TL-PB10400 is quite affordable at $49 (shop around online), which results in a great mAh per dollar rating.

3SIXT JetPak Slim

Price: $79.95

The svelte but weirdly named 3SIXT JetPak Slim comes in both 8,000 and 4,000mAh capacities. Both have dual USB ports – one that can output 2.1 amps, while the other is rated for 1 amp.

They charge via an included micro USB cable, and have an on button (and auto power off), plus four LED power level readout.

The smaller power bank saves you $30, and while we tested both, our results are for the 8,000mAh model.

The JetPak performed quite well in real-world testing, and we were able to use 95% of the rated capacity. Handily, it also supports passthrough charging.

As the name suggests, the 8,000mAh model is very slim at just 10mm thick, but is 150mm long and 75mm wide. Combined with the 195-gram weight, the power bank is easy to slip into a bag or pocket.

The outer aluminium shell is nice and tough, but will tend to pick up some scratches. At $79.95, it is not the cheapest power bank for the capacity and specs, but gives a decent result.

Belkin MIXIT Power Pack 6600

Price: $69

As the name gives away, the Belkin MIXIT power bank has a 6,600mAh capacity.

It’s clad in a thick but lightweight aluminium shell that looks great, but is a little prone to scratching.

On the business end, the power bank has dual USB ports, and a micro USB charging socket.

The unit supports 5v fast charging, but rather than an individual power rating for each port, they share a maximum of 3.4A. The Belkin power bank can also charge at up to 2.4 amps, and includes a micro USB cable.

Unlike any other power bank tested, the MIXIT has a $2,500 connected equipment warranty, just in case it has a fault that causes damage.

The power bank had 97% of its rated capacity available in real world testing, and happily outputted the rated current.

While a little pricier than some of the competition, the connected equipment warranty gives peace of mind not found elsewhere.

The MIXIT power bank is also available in a 4,000mAh capacity for $39.95.

Laser Power Bank 10000

Price: $39

Clad in bright yellow plastic (or blue, pink and green), the LASER power bank has a large 10,000mAh capacity. The rest of the specs are pretty standard – dual USB ports, with one 1A and the other 2A.

While the plastic shell does not have the premium feel of metal, it’s got a fairly robust design. Charging is done via micro USB, but only at a 1A rate.

It’s worth noting that the Laser power bank does not support passthrough charging, and the LED indicators are hidden under the shell and can be tough to see.

On the plus side, it does come with a multi-headed USB charge cable, with micro USB, Lightning and the 30-pin Apple connector.

In testing, the Laser power bank has a decent 94% of its capacity available, and will happily charge most phones or tablets a few times over.

Because of the cheap price, it also gives a very good mAh per dollar ratio. While the price and capacity is great, other power banks offer a few more features.

Luxa2 EnerG Slim

Price $29

Wrapped in black fireproof ABS plastic, the Luxa2 EnerG Slim is designed to slip easily into a pocket or bag.

It only has a single USB port, which is rated to output 1.5A. While less than most power banks, that’s still enough to enable a fast charge, and work with electron-hungry tablets.

When we loaded up the power bank, though, it happily sustained 2.2A. In testing, we pulled 5,061mAh from the EnerG Slim, which is a great result and goes to show it uses high-quality cells.

The power bank lives up to its name, as just 9.8mm thick, 63mm wide, 128mm long, and weighing 120 grams.

The EnerG Slim charges via micro USB, with an 1A input rating and an included micro USB cable. Handily, it does support passthrough charging, and takes about 6.5 hours to top up itself.

For those who need extra capacity, the Luxa2 EnerG Slim is also available with a 10,000mAh rating for $45.

Sony CPV3

Price: $39.95

Rated as having a 2,800mAh battery, the Sony also claims 7.5Wh, which would actually be a 2,000mAh battery - so there is some inflation going on there.

It has a usable capacity of 1,927mAh - a poor result for a 2,800mAh battery but an excellent one for a 2,000mAh battery.

Don't go looking to charge your tablet as it only outputs 1.61 A. Rated for 1,000 charge cycles, if you use it a lot it will probably outlast some of the cheaper models.

Promate CLOY-12

Price: $39

Taking a slightly different tack, the Promate Cloy-12 has a larger 12,000mAh rating.

On the business end, it sports dual USB ports, which share a combined maximum 3.1A output current. It charges via micro USB, but only at a slower 1A rate, so takes about 7 hours to fill back up.

Rather than a push button to check the remaining charge, a quick shake does the same job thanks to an inbuilt movement sensor.

In testing, we were able to access 93% of the rated capacity, which is pretty good considering the price. While it does come with a nice flat USB cable, the power bank does not support passthrough charging.

Impressively, the Cloy-12 has the highest mAh per dollar rating out of any of the power banks tested. It’s also fairly lightweight at 267 grams, and measures in at 120mm x 65mm x 20mm.

For those who don’t need more advanced features, the CLOY-12 is a solid choice.

Romoss Solo 5

Price: $35

Despite an impressive 10,000mAh capacity, the Solo 5 costs just $35. It comes as no surprise then that, in the real world, only 91% of that capacity was available – the lowest of the power banks tested.

The thing is, for the price, that is actually a fantastic result, and gives a very impressive mAh per dollar rating.

Unlike its metal-wrapped brethren, the Romoss Solo 5 is clad in plastic, which is still prone to scratches. The twin USB ports are conveniently located on one end (great for charging while it’s in a bag), but the micro USB input is on the side.

The Solo 5 ports are rated for 1A and 2A, and it can charge at 2A. It includes a micro USB cable, and has a four LED capacity indicator.

The whole kit and caboodle measures in at 138mm x 62mm x 21.5mm and weighs a pretty standard 296 grams.

For those who crave a larger capacity, the Romoss Solo 6 has an uprated 16,000mAh for $15 more.

Comsol Laptop Power Bank

Price: $149

The chunky Comsol power bank has a huge 20,000mAh capacity, shoehorned into a surprisingly thin metal-clad shell. It’s still pretty large though, at 185mm x 125mm x 15.5mm and weighing in at 562 grams.

In a somewhat weird move, the unit actually only has one USB port, which is rated for 2.1A fast charging.

Unlike smaller power banks, the Comsol comes with a laptop style 19v charger and can reach full capacity in just 4 hours.

The power bank also comes with a cable and array of adapter tips, which allow it to charge most laptops – though not MacBooks.

It’s rated for 19v at 3A, so can replace up to a 65W adapter. Perhaps even better, the output voltage can be switched to 16v or 12v. This makes it easy to run all sorts of other 12v tech, from modems to lights.

Via USB, the Comsol power bank has 99% of the stated capacity available and could keep most smartphones going for a week or more.

]]>Amazon Great Indian Festival 2017: Best deals on power bankshttp://www.techradar.com/news/amazon-great-indian-festival-2017-best-deals-on-power-banks
http://www.techradar.com/news/amazon-great-indian-festival-2017-best-deals-on-power-banksTo help you get the best deal, we have handpicked the top offers on power banks available now at the Amazon Great Indian Festival.Tue, 17 Oct 2017 08:30:35 +0000techradar.comPower banks are something we all need at some point of time or other, and they are pretty much a necessity for those who are living in rural areas of India or need to travel long distances. If you have been planning to get one of these battery extenders for yourself, then this is the perfect time. To help you get the best deal, we have handpicked the top offers on power banks available now at the Amazon Great Indian Festival.

We have also listed the best deals on following categories-

If you're looking to buy a new laptop, here are the best deals on laptops

The second generation Mi Power Bank is certainly one of the best of its kind in the Indian market. Well-known for its value for money, the 10000mAh variant of Xiaomi’s newest power bank is now available for an all-time lowest price of Rs. 999.

With a conversion rate of 93 percent, the 20000mAh Mi Power Bank 2 is one of the most efficient power banks available in the market. Apart from juicing up mobiles and tablets, this can also charge some USB Type-C laptops.

At Rs. 649, the Ambrane P-1111 is undoubtedly one of the cheapest 10000mAh power bank you can buy. Boasting a conversion rate of 70 to 75 percent, the low-cost power bank comes with full one year warranty.

The Ambrane Power Bank P-2000 comes with a huge 20,800 mAh battery capacity and offers three USB ports to charge three products simultaneously. Equipped with torch light and toggle button, this power bank is completely made in India.

With up to 90 percent conversion rate, the Ambrane P-1310 13000mAh power bank is compatible with a wide variety of products like smartphones, tablets, digicams, media players etc. It features two USB ports, where one port promises to provide fastest charging to your products.

The Intex IT-PB11K 11000mAH Power Bank (Black) comes with a 11,000mAh battery and offers three USB ports to charge multiple devices simultaneously. It also has an in-built flash light and its LED indicator informs the user about the charging status of the device.

]]>Free up space and earn cash by recycling your old Samsung phone http://www.techradar.com/news/free-up-space-and-earn-cash-by-recycling-your-old-samsung-phone
http://www.techradar.com/news/free-up-space-and-earn-cash-by-recycling-your-old-samsung-phoneWith Decluttr,you can get the most for your old devices and earn money that you can put towards this year’s flagship phones.Mon, 25 Sep 2017 10:30:30 +0000techradar.comThis feature has been brought to you by Decluttr.

Upgrading to the latest and most feature packed smartphone every year can get costly, especially when you go through your mobile phone carrier to do so. However, if you have to get your hands on Samsung’s new Galaxy S8+ or the recently announced Note 8, then selling last year’s flagship phone could earn you some money towards your next purchase.

Selling your smartphone online or at a store can get tedious rather quickly though. While carriers and manufacturers often offer to buy back your old smartphone for a discount on the latest model, you rarely get even a fraction of what you paid for it. Listing your device on an auction site such as eBay might earn you a little more but the added hassle that comes along with this can waste time, energy and there could even be complications from buyers. That’s on top of having to pay fees too!

Decluttr makes it easy to sell your old smartphone at the best price thanks to the service’s competitive pricing - the company pays 25 per cent more than the average market price. Why get less for your devices when you can sell them for more using Decluttr’s app available on the Google Play Store?

Say goodbye to buy back schemes

To entice their users to upgrade to the latest smartphone, mobile carriers and even device manufacturers such as Samsung and Apple have begun to offer buy back services that,while convenient, fail to offer the best price for your used devices. Decluttr,on the other hand,pays 33 per cent more than mobile carriers and manufacturers to give you the best price for your old smartphones.

Selling a phone is simple with the service.All you have to do is search for your device, describe its condition and the company will give you a quote right then and there. Decluttr also offers a price promise guarantee; they will pay the initial price for your smartphone or return it free of charge.

Seller your oldsmartphonefast

After accepting your quote, all you have to do is pack up your smartphone and attach the shipping label from Decluttr. The company offers free insured shipping with every order so there is no need to worry about it getting lost or damaged in the mail.

Getting paid for your devices is also extremely simple and easy. Decluttr provides next day payments via check, direct deposit or even PayPal so you can have cash in hand fast to buy your next smartphone. The entire process will cost you nothing as the company does not include any hidden auction or seller fees in its transactions.

Why wait for this year’s flagship?

Selling your old smartphones on Decluttr can really help bring down the cost of Samsung’s flagship phones and because the process is so simple and easy you could repeat it next year to truly be on the cutting edge.

If having the latest smartphone means a lot to you or you just have some old devices collecting dust around your house, there has never been a better time to check out Decluttr for yourself and start earning money today.

]]>Flipkart Big Billion Days: Best offers on power bankshttp://www.techradar.com/news/flipkart-big-billion-days-best-offers-on-power-banks
http://www.techradar.com/news/flipkart-big-billion-days-best-offers-on-power-banksIn this post, we will list out the best deals on the power banks.Thu, 21 Sep 2017 09:43:14 +0000techradar.comAfter a successful Big Freedom Sale back in August, Flipkart is back with Big Billion Day sale for the festive season. It is offering some exciting deals on wearables, cameras, storage devices and a number of devices that must be in your buying list from quite a long time.

These days we see a number of phones coming up with big batteries to serve your daily need. Still, the heavy users face the issues of their phone battery draining faster. And if you also belong to the this category then you have landed on the correct page. In this post, we will tell you about the great deals on power banks that are currently running on Flipkart. Power banks provide enough fuel to your phone for the whole day.

Mi Power Bank 2 is one of those accessories, that we can blindly suggest for someone who has battery issues with the phone. The 20,000mAh cell allows you to carry tons of charge in a small form factor. There's a huge price cut on the power bank and we recommend you to go for this one if you have no budget constraints.

The reason why Xiaomi power banks are on top of the list is because of the kind of quality it offers. If 20,000mAh goes over your budget and you can do away with 10,000mAh of juice, here's a solid deal. It comes with 6-months warranty and takes around 6 hours to get fully charged.

The Syska Power Boost 100 comes with a 10000mAh cell to charge your mobile devices on the go. The power bank has a dual USB ports. So, if you want to charge two devices simultaneously, the job can be done with an ease. Apart from the discount, you can also avail bank offers and Phone Pe.

The Ipro power bank comes with a battery capacity of 10,400mAh and is highly portable. It also has two USB ports and comes with an LED indicator that shows the electric current capacity in various stages. grab this device asap as the massive discount of 82% would not lasts for long.

The Intex IT-PB11K power bank offers a battery capacity of 11,000 mAh to its user. it comes with three USB 2.0 ports that allows users to charge multiple devices at the same time. It does not matter whether its mobile phone or a tablet the power bank promises to serve you the best. The device also has an in-built torch.

One of the fair budget options for a high capacity power bank. The new iVoomi 20000mAh power bank weighs 420g and comes with one year warranty. So even if you doubt the quality, you can always get it replaced for any fault within a year.

The power bank features two USB ports and comes with a battery capacity of 11,000mAh which is manufactured by LG. The battery has a recharge life of 500 cycles and allows user to charge multiple devices at the same time.

Featuring a 12,500mAh battery, the Intex IT-PB12.5K promises to solve all your battery woes instantly. Its three USB ports allows user to charge a number of devices at a time. The device is also available in Black Red and Black Grey color combination.

The Ambrane P-1133 power bank offers two USB ports to the user. Its 12500mAh battery provides enough power to charge multiple devices. The highlight of the device is it comes with a leather feel surface which does not allow the device to slip away from the user's hand. Also, its has indicative LED lights for displaying the charging status to the user.

Apart from blue, the power bank is also available in white, black, silver and gold.

Ambrane is of the most popular portable battery pack makers in India. The key selling point of this device is its affordability and quality. This 10,000mAh power bank is a perfect deal for those who want to for a power backup under a budget.

]]>Find a new home for your old electronics http://www.techradar.com/news/find-a-new-home-for-your-old-electronics
http://www.techradar.com/news/find-a-new-home-for-your-old-electronicsDecluttr helps you get rid of your old gadgets and pays you cash to do so. Thu, 21 Sep 2017 08:28:35 +0000techradar.comThis feature has been brought to you by Decluttr.

Whether you’re heading off to college, moving into a new place or just need some extra cash, selling your old electronics is a good way to free up some space and earn money at the same time. You could try selling your gadgets through marketplaces but this often eats up your time and leaves you frustrated answering buyers questions - not to mention all the fees!.

Luckily though with Decluttr you can quickly and easily sell all of your old electronics, CDs, DVDs, video games and even game consoles without the hassle. To get started you simply need to head to the company’s website or download the free app in the App Store or from the Google Play Store. From there you can start scanning any of the items you want to sell that have a barcode and for electronics you just have to search for the item, describe its condition and Decluttr will give you an instant quote.

After that you just box up your items and print out the free shipping label. Decluttr even offers free insured shipping so you don’t have to worry about your gadgets getting damaged or lost in the mail.

Getting paid is just as simple and the company pays you fast with next day payments via check, direct deposit or even PayPal so you’ll have cash in hand that you can put towards your next purchase.

Free up your space without the hassle

Cutting down on the clutter in your home or apartment feels good and it feels even better getting paid to do so. While you used to have give away your old electronics or spend the time arranging a yard sale, now you can get rid of them quickly with minimal hassle.

Decluttr accepts smartphones (both working and faulty), tablets, iPods, consoles, Kindles, wearables and even more tech so you can sell all your old items in one transaction.

By using Decluttr, you will earn more than you would anywhere else because the service pays 25 per cent more than market prices and you’re not stuck with store credit as you would be if you sold your old smartphone back to your mobile carrier through a buy back program.

Recycling your old gadgets is the right thing to do and if you just want to clear up some space, Decluttr even gives you the option of donating the money you earn back right to charity.

Forego the auction and simplify the sale

Selling items on eBay can be a profitable endeavour but you end up investing your time and energy just to earn a few bucks more. Online auctions also include hidden seller and auction fees that most users are completely unaware of.

With Decluttr there are no added fees and it is completely free service from start to finish to sell your old gadgets. The service is also much simpler to get started with than eBay which is a great thing for inexperienced users who just want to earn a little extra cash. So why let your old electronics collect dust all around you when you could get rid of them and get paid for it?

Start selling today and get paid tomorrow

Whatever your reason for wanting to get rid of your old electronics, don’t put it off. Signing up for Decluttr can be done in just a few minutes and with the mobile app you can make the process even easier by just scanning the barcodes of DVDs and CDs to add them to your basket. Stop procrastinating and start selling your old gadgets and electronics today.

]]>Apple Pay officially coming to United Arab Emirateshttp://www.techradar.com/news/apple-pay-officially-coming-to-united-arab-emirates
http://www.techradar.com/news/apple-pay-officially-coming-to-united-arab-emiratesApple is officially rolling out Apple Pay support in the UAE with six banks.Wed, 13 Sep 2017 04:23:07 +0000techradar.comApple's plans for global contactless payments domination have taken another step forward with the announcement of Apple Pay in the UAE.

When it launches before the end of this calendar year, Apple Pay will support Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards from six banks. These include EmiratesNBD, Mashreq, HSBC, RAKBANK, Standard Chartered and Emirates Islamic Bank.

Customers of these banks will be able to make pay with their iPhone 6S or later, or, an Apple Watch at participating outlets.

Matthew Colebrook, Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, MENA & Turkey, HSBC, said: “HSBC is excited to soon bring to its UAE customers Apple Pay, which is transforming mobile payments with an easy, secure and private way to pay. As digitisation picks up in banking, and customers’ demand more convenient and secure solutions for their everyday payment needs, the launch of Apple Pay in the UAE will help encourage usage and acceptance of contactless payments.”

]]>Samsung’s Portable SSD T5 can transfer data at a speed of up to 540MB/shttp://www.techradar.com/news/samsungs-portable-ssd-t5-can-transfer-data-at-a-speed-of-up-to-540mbs
http://www.techradar.com/news/samsungs-portable-ssd-t5-can-transfer-data-at-a-speed-of-up-to-540mbsThe drive comes fitted in a shock-resistant internal frame that is said to withstand accidental drops of up to 2 meters.Fri, 01 Sep 2017 11:59:23 +0000techradar.comAfter launching the portable SSD T5 in Korea a few days back, Samsung finally launched the storage device in India. Packed with 64-layer V-NAND technology, the T5 claims to transfer data at a speed of up to 540MB/s. It also has AES 256-bit hardware data encryption to ensure security while transferring files and allows easy configuration of security settings to users. Also, the latest USB Type-C port and connection cable make it easy for users to connect it to numerous devices.This also includes USB Type-C to A cable.

As per the company claims, the T5 is designed especially for content creators, business, and IT professionals as well as mainstream consumers to give instant and easy access to data to them. With a dimension size of 74 x 57.3 x 10.5 mm, the drive is said to fit comfortably in the hands and pockets of the users. It weighs around 51g which makes it highly portable. In other words, we can say that the compact design of the device allows the user to access their most valuable data anywhere and at any point of time.

The drive comes fitted in a shock-resistant internal frame that is said to withstand accidental drops of up to 2 meters. Samsung has launched a similar device, the T3, last year that was packed with similar features but offered a transfer speed of 480MB/s.

Samsung Portable SSD T5 Price & Availability

The T5 will be available in four storage capacities including 250GB, 500GB, 1TB and 2TB carrying the price tags of Rs 13,500, Rs 21,000, Rs 40,000 and Rs 80,000 respectively. The 1TB and 2TB variants will come in Deep Black metal finish while the 250GB and 500GB variants will be offered in Alluring Blue color.

All the variants of the portable drive will be available at all major retail outlets from August 28.

NITRO Plus promises to store and transfer data between new generation USB Type-C compatible devices at a speed of 100MB/s and 150MB/s respectively. The compatible devices include smartphones, tablets and PCs having a Type-C port.

Most of the devices launched in recent time come with a USB Type-C port, which is believed to be faster and efficient. And, if such devices are made, then there has to be the connectors for transferring data from them. Here comes the need of OTG USB drives which not only helps in transferring the data between OTG compatible devices but also stores the same. Their built-in storage capacity eliminates the need of microSD card slot by providing enough space to the users who faces storage issues in their mobile devices.

Strontium has launched similar devices in the past as well. This includes NITRO OTG USB 3.0 and NITRO Plus OTG USB 3.0 that allows fast transferring of data among OTG compatible devices using their dual micro-B and standard Type A USB 3.0 connectors.

Coming back to the Nitro Plus OTG Type-C USB 3.1, it comes in full zinc alloy body and has both USB Type-C (USB-C) & traditional USB-A connector which means it can connect with devices having USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 connection ports.

The device is available in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB storage capacities and is said to be priced at Rs 1599, Rs 2799 and Rs 4999 respectively. The company is also offering a five-year warranty on the same. The buyers will be able to grab this USB drive from all the retail stores including Amazon and Croma.

]]>Best power bank in India: best batteries over 10,000mAhhttp://www.techradar.com/news/best-power-bank-in-india-best-batteries-over-10000mah
http://www.techradar.com/news/best-power-bank-in-india-best-batteries-over-10000mahUse your phone for up to a day longer with our choice for the best power bank in India right now.Tue, 29 Aug 2017 13:54:29 +0000techradar.comMobile phones have evolved a great deal in the past few years, but we still don’t have smartphones that can last more than a day on a single charge. This is where accessories like power banks or portable chargers come in handy. If you find that your phone doesn’t last the entire day, carrying a power bank will make your lives somewhat easier. But which power bank should you get? We’re going to help you choose today.

You can charge a standard smartphone up to four times with this particular power bank. It’s compatible with a wide range of devices as well. One of the key highlights of this product is that it comes with three USB ports, allowing you to charge three devices simultaneously. The power bank can be snatched up for Rs 999 via Amazon. Intex offers 1 year of warranty for the product as well.

This particular offering from Ambrane supports fast charging, much like the majority of the power banks here. It has the typical Ambrane design on board, so if you’ve owned an Ambrane power bank before, chances are that you will find some similarities here. This particular offering can be bought for Rs 899 via online retailers.

This power bank has been around for quite some time now. Sold under Huawei’s Honor brand in India, the device comes with a combination of metal and plastic materials. It doesn’t have fast charging, though. This power bank can be yours for Rs 1,299.

This particular offering comes with a four cell battery, protected by the company’s nine layer circuit chip protection. These hardware adjustments make sure that the phone doesn’t overcharge devices. The product can be bought online for Rs 1,290, although some retailers were originally selling it for Rs 999.

Packing a sleek design and LED torch on board, this Ambrane power bank serves more than one purpose. It is currently available on Amazon for Rs 1,199, and the seller is offering the power bank in seven colors.

Bonus entries (over Rs 1,500)

Intex is one of the most popular manufacturers in the accessories segment today. Although the company is known for its smartphones, the manufacturer’s power banks have received some recognition in the market as well. This 20,000mAh power bank from the company can be bought for just Rs 1,799 online, making it one of the best entries on this list.

This multi functional power bank can charge conventional smartphones, tablets, and some USB C compatible laptops as well. Given that it comes with a capacity of 20,000mAh, you can charge multiple devices at a time. The presence of quick charging helps you get more out of the device with a single charge. You can get this online for Rs 2,199.

]]>Save up to $30 on these new Amazon Fire Kids Edition tablet dealshttp://www.techradar.com/news/save-up-to-30-on-these-new-amazon-fire-kids-edition-tablet-deals
http://www.techradar.com/news/save-up-to-30-on-these-new-amazon-fire-kids-edition-tablet-dealsAct quickly and grab a cheap tablet deal for the summer.Wed, 16 Aug 2017 12:05:40 +0000techradar.comThe Amazon Fire tablets for kids aren't particularly known for getting involved with the discounts on Black Friday compared to the regular tablet deals. But we're seeing some fantastic summer deals today on the latest versions that released a few months back.

Both the All-New Fire 7 Kids Edition and All-New Fire HD 8 Kids Edition tablets have been reduced to their cheapest prices yet.

The 16GB Fire 7 Kids Edition has had $20 knocked off, bringing the price down to just $79.99, meaning it's the cheapest price yet since Amazon re-released the 7-inch child-friendly tablet earlier this year.

Alternatively, there's a $30 saving on the 32GB All-New Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition tablet. So for just $99.99 you're getting the child-proof tablet with a larger screen, plus it has a HD display. This $30 saving is also the biggest since the new tablet's launch earlier this year.

The Fire Kids Edition tablets in Amazon's popular range of budget screens are incredibly sturdy pieces of kit. That thick rubber cover is fixed on permanently for reliable protection on all sides and the rear of the device. It sticks out on the front too, so the tablet should survive drops from all angles.

Amazon is clearly very confident of the durability of the tablets, as there's a 'no questions asked' two year guarantee covering any problems. So if your kid breaks any of these tablets, Amazon will replace them for free - the tablet, not your destructive spawn.

There are lots of built-in parental controls, ensuring a safe web-browsing experience and child-friendly video selections. You can even set bedtime curfews or block off game access until they've finished their homework or chores. There's also a year of free access to Amazon FreeTime, a service packed with digital books, games and video content aimed at children.

If you're not too bothered about all the child-proofing elements, or fancy an Amazon tablet deal of your own, check out our regularly-updated Amazon Kindle and Fire Tablet deals page.

]]>The best ebook readers for Australianshttp://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-ebook-readers-australia
http://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-ebook-readers-australiaIf you want to read digital books on electronic ink, you'll need one of these devices.Wed, 16 Aug 2017 04:47:51 +0000techradar.comEven for the most ravenous of book lovers, dedicated ereaders can be a fairly easy idea to dismiss. After all, if you've got a modern big-screen smartphone or a tablet, it's dead simple to just download Amazon's Kindle app to get your ebook fix.

According to a 2014 report from the Stanford Center for Teaching and Learning, however, the way we read on our smartphones and PCs is different from how we read on paper. Thanks to the internet, on screens we've trained our eyes to skim and dart around, constantly hunting for the information we're after – a non-linear behaviour the Stanford paper calls 'surface reading'.

When reading from a paper book, by contrast, our brains switch to a more concentrated form of information processing – dubbed 'deep reading' – and it's a mode that actually helps us better absorb and comprehend what's on the page.

To us, that sounds like a great argument for giving books their own space, away from the distractions of apps and constant notifications on our modern do-all devices.

And while there's certainly something irreplaceable about curling up with a good hardcover or paperback, nothing beats the convenience of a digital device when it comes to size, browsing for new books – but with a dedicated ebook reader, you can arguably have the advantages of both.

By design, they're simpler device made for the singular purpose of reading – and they have advantages too, such as batteries that last weeks rather than hours, and much-clearer legibility in direct sunlight.

Here are the best ebook readers you can buy today:

Kobo Aura One

With its new $350 flagship, Kobo has done more than just improve its basic models.

Compared to the 6-inch standard, this Aura One gives you a spacier 7.8-inch display that’s also at a higher 300dpi resolution (or 1,872 x 1,404 pixels), rendering text nice and crisp right down to the tiniest of font sizes.

You also get ample storage space – 8GB, or double most others – plus waterproofing, so you can safely read by the pool or in the tub. The inbuilt backlight has been improved, with a new orange-hue option that's less disruptive to sleep.

The One is also more enjoyable to hold and use, thanks to its more modern design language. And despite its size, it’s a tad thinner and lighter than the H2O, and all the corners are now comfortably rounded.

Combined with a textured rubber back, it’s easier to grip and hold up for prolonged reading.

On the software side of things, not a lot has changed from the H2O. There are still lots of options to customise font types and sizes, as well as margins, and all the exclusive features we love – like the ability to sync with Pocket (so you can easily read saved web articles in more comfort, whenever you like) and support for the OverDrive ebook lending platform (which is widely used by Australian libraries) – are still in place.

If the One has a main flaw, it’s that it doesn’t feel as robust or well-built as last year’s Aura H2O – which is frankly a bit of a tank – or most current Kindles for that matter.

On top of that, the bigger screen and new backlight seemingly team up to drain the battery more quickly than before. That said, we think that’s a fair trade off for the added screen size and general reading comfort.

Amazon Kindle Oasis

The Kindle Oasis is the best e-reading experience money can buy, provided you've got the extra pocket change lying around somewhere. It's Amazon's newest reading tablet and the most expensive e-reader available to date, sitting at nearly $450 apiece.

But if you're an avid reader, then spending that much money on one of the best e-readers might well be worth it.

Design-wise, the Kindle Oasis looks radically different from the other Amazon tablets. One side of the Oasis thinner than its opposite edge, and yet the thickest side is thinner than any of the other Kindle versions. Despite this, it's well balanced and comfortable to hold.

Physical buttons make it easy to use one-handed, giving you the option to not constantly tap the screen to shift pages.

The Oasis shares the same 300ppi screen as the Voyage and the Paperwhite, but the clarity is fabulous, with the display featuring 60% more LEDs than any of the other Kindles.

Available in both Wi-Fi and a 3G version, with internet free for the life of the e-reader in 100 countries. So you could download reading material while on holiday without batting an eyelid.

Being thinner, Amazon had to make the battery smaller, but has added a charging case in the box to compensate for it.

The interface is smooth and seamless, despite the slight lag expected from any e-ink device.

Amazon may be copping some criticism on the Oasis' price point, but if you need your daily fix of the written word, it's definitely one of the best digital reading experiences you can lay your hands on if money is no object.

Kobo Aura H2O

The Aura H2O is Kobo's previous flagship model, an unrepentantly big-and-tough unit with a large 6.8-inch display and waterproofing, so it can be used with impunity in the bathtub or by the poolside.

It has a microSD expansion slot and a USB charge-port on its bottom edge, which are covered by a discrete plastic flap when not in use to keep them water tight. While that larger physical size means it won't as easily slip into a handbag or jacket pocket, it's still quite comfortable to hold thanks to a soft-touch plastic back with slightly tapered sides.

And true to Kobo form, it's very flexible in terms of settings and customisability – fonts, font-weights, line spacing, margins and justification can all be fine-tuned to a high degree. However, we found some default font-weights resulted in unevenly-rendered text (narrower arches in letters, for example), so we needed to fiddle for a couple of minutes to get things more comfortable.

Kobo's thrown a few extra beta features onto the Aura H2O, so you can play sudoku, solitaire or word scramble, sketch drawings or browse the web.

The Aura H2O isn't as fast as the Kindle Voyage in some areas; there's a slight delay in text input, for example, which means you've got to be quite deliberate, especially when you're initially setting up accounts and entering passwords. And one spot where Kobo in general falls short is that you don't have the option to upload and archive your own ebooks and PDFs to the cloud, something you can do with Amazon's Kindle platform.

Its larger size means the H2O won't appeal to everyone, but if you like to read longform web articles alongside your ebooks (and/or while you're in the bathtub) this is a fantastic option.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

Prior to this year's launch of the Kindle Voyage, the Paperwhite was Amazon's top Kindle offering. Amazon's actually refreshed the device three times – most recently in the middle of this year, although some stock of the previous model does still seem to be floating around, so be aware.

The primary difference between this model and the previous 2013 one is in the display – the latter's was 758 x 1,024-pixels (212dpi), vs this new model's 1,080 × 1,430-pixels (300dpi). Those extra pixels don't make for a huge increase in text sharpness, and they're most noticeable in places like image-rendering, or if you're partial to using teeny font sizes.

From the outside, the Paperwhites are actually fairly similar; both feel great to hold thanks to soft-touch plastic backs and sides, with edges that curve gently and almost organically.

It's not quite as grippy as the Kobo models, but it certainly looks sleeker. This third-gen model does double the onboard storage to 4GB total, although that was available on the 2013 model later in its life, too.

Like all the ereaders here, the Paperwhite's backlight gives off a soft aqua tone, although unlike the Voyage you'll have to manually set it – there's no auto-brightness option at this price.

You do get basically every Voyage software feature, however, including X-Ray, dictionary definitions, language translation, Wikipedia lookup, annotations, social media quote-sharing and parental controls – the last letting you basically turn off any web-browsing and disable purchasing from the Kindle Store.

We should also clarify that while the Kindle font and layout customisation options might not be as extensive as on Kobos, they're not exactly non-existent: you still get to choose from seven fonts (including the Kindle-exclusive Bookerly designed exclusively for e-readers), plus nine font sizes and three choices each for line-spacing and margin-width.

What all Kindles lack is support for library-lending in Australia, or the ability to read ebook files beyond Amazon's own formats (mobi and azw3) and PDF. That does limit the third-party stores you can buy ebooks from, which generally use the ePub format.

Still, at $190 the Wi-Fi version is a reasonable deal – although we'd steer clear of the $260 Wi-Fi+3G model. At that price, you might as well spend the extra $40 and get the better Kindle Voyage instead. On the other hand, there are still some 2013-model Paperwhites being cleared at $150 for the Wi-Fi version, which is a bit of a bargain.

Amazon Kindle Voyage

At three-times the price of the most basic Kindle, you'd be right to ask exactly what this model provides over its lesser siblings. The answer is a variety of decidedly neat (but also arguably inessential) upgrades that enhance the overall ereading experience.

Some of those are in the hardware: this is a small, thin and light device with a round power-button placed on the rear, and 'squeeze zones' on each side of the screen for easy page-turning from any position – all of which all help to make the Voyage very comfortable for one-handed use.

There's only one Voyage model in Australia, and it packs 4GB of storage as well as both Wi-Fi and 'worldwide' 3G connectivity. Like the latest Paperwhite, the 6-inch display here is an eInk Carta model at 300ppi (or 1,080 x 1,430), making individual pixels basically indistinguishable.

The Kindle's social/informational features include showing commonly-highlighted passages, plus the unique X-Ray, which will let you tap a character or term to be given a short, non-spoiler summary. It's a great feature for complex books and series', albeit one that's only available on selected titles.

Amazon seems to have been able to decrease the e-ink flickering issue markedly over the generations, and while it's still noticeable on the Voyage, the overall experience is generally less-flickery (and therefore a little easier on the eyes) than on Kobo. Text input is relatively swift and responsive here too – more so than any other reader we've tested.

The downsides? There's no ability to adjust where the on-screen page-turning areas are, but you can swipe across the display from right to left or vice versa to flip pages forward and back. Squeeze-zone sensitivity can be adjusted or turned off as well, in case you find yourself accidentally turning pages while just holding the sides.

The Voyage's main shortcoming is price: for all but die-hard reading fans, there aren't really enough distinguishing features to justify the price increase over the Paperwhite. If you seriously love your books – and are happy to live within Amazon's ecosystem – this one absolutely nails the core reading experience.

Amazon Kindle (2016)

The 2016 version of the Amazon Kindle, or Amazon Kindle Touch as it's being called by retailers in Australia, is the updated version of the entry-level Kindle last released in 2014. It's the most basic and affordable ereader Amazon currently sells.

The 2016 Kindle isn't all that much different from the previous model – you get an adequate but not backlit touchscreen, battery life that will keep you happily reading for a few days if not weeks, and plenty of storage with 4GB worth of digital tomes you can tote around wherever you go. Plus, the user interface is intuitive, making navigating your books a breeze.

The 2016 model is slimmer and lighter then the old standard Kindle, and comes with a power boost, with double the RAM compared to its predecessor.

Of course, it's not match for Amazon's latest offerings, like the Oasis or Voyage, not even the Paperwhite, but for less than $150, it doesn't have to be.

]]>This ‘PIECE’ of tech can turn your iPhone into a dual-SIM phonehttp://www.techradar.com/news/this-piece-of-tech-can-turn-your-iphone-into-a-dual-sim-phone
http://www.techradar.com/news/this-piece-of-tech-can-turn-your-iphone-into-a-dual-sim-phonePIECE is a fancy new tech that turns your standard iPhone into a dual-SIM handsetMon, 17 Jul 2017 06:14:20 +0000techradar.comMost modern day smartphones don’t come with dual-SIM tech on board. This is particularly true with the Apple iPhones as they only support single-SIM functionality. But by using a device called PIECE, you can turn your iPhone into a proper dual-SIM handset. The device is sold and marketed by Yerha, which made the news last year for launching a credit card sized smartphone.

Its functionality is pretty simple. You need to insert the SIM card of your choice on the device, turn it on and pair it with the iPhone using Bluetooth. PIECE also has a dedicated app which helps you control all the functionality of the SIM, including phone calls and messages.

Once it’s set up, your iPhone works like any other dual-SIM phone would. Users will immediately start receiving phone calls and messages on their iPhone even though it doesn’t have the SIM card stored locally. This is particularly helpful for users who are forced to carry two phones at all times. PIECE can fit into the pockets or even regular wallets, making it easier to carry around. Given its small size, it’s also pretty easy to lose sometimes.

PIECE will automatically start beeping if you go beyond 15 meters of the paired phone. Similarly, you can locate the device by tapping the “Find PIECE” button on the app. This miniature device can hold any GSM, EGSM, DCS, or PCS card. There are several products like PIECE out there, mostly from China, but this appears to be the best one we came across.

It will set you back by Rs 3,900 from yerha.com, although the site mentions that it’s no longer in stock. However, you can be notified via email when it’s available again. As it stands, though, you probably won’t be able to get PIECE right away.

]]>10 tips about Amazon Prime Day you need to know in the UShttp://www.techradar.com/news/10-tips-about-amazon-prime-day-you-need-to-know-in-the-us
http://www.techradar.com/news/10-tips-about-amazon-prime-day-you-need-to-know-in-the-usYou can save a lot of money on Amazon Prime Day, so here are ten things you should know before it starts.Mon, 10 Jul 2017 12:43:49 +0000techradar.comAmazon Prime Day 2017 is more complex due to shifting deal start times and even more savings than ever promised by the online retailer.

If you're in the US, there's a lot you should know before the clock strikes an odd 9PM Eastern or 6PM Pacific tonight. Like that deals start a day early – today.

In fact, you can start saving right now thanks to early Amazon Prime Day deals that the official website has me available hours and even days in advance.

Here are ten ways you are get the most out of this invented online shopping holiday.

1. Amazon Prime Day begins tonight at 6PM

The Amazon Prime Day start time can be summed up in one word: confusing. That's okay, we're here to explain it for you.

Amazon has been offering early Prime Day deals (see below) days in advance. But the real deals start at tonight, July 10 at 6PM Pacific / 9PM Eastern.

Yet the full Amazon Prime Day is actually on July 11. Here's why: In a way, this makes it easier to get the first (and usually the best) deals without having to wait until midnight or 3AM. Apple should take note.

2. You can get early Amazon Prime days right now

On that note, you can get a bunch of Amazon Prime Day deals this very minute, and includes popular Echo and Kindle products.

We also like the TCL smart TVs, and there are savings there, too. There will be a $119.99 TCL that's TV that's 28 inches, and a 32-inch TCL TV that's $99.99. But It's Amazon prime Day, go big or go home, right? The 40-inch TCL TV will be $199.99.

One more Amazon Prime Day TV deal: It'll have a 55-inch premium brand 4K smart LED TV for only $599.99. But it hasn't disclosed which one this is yet.

7. Amazon Prime phones are all unlocked

Amazon Prime Phones run Android and and there are some good choices, like the award-winning Moto G5 Plus we reviewed and liked a lot.

The best part is that while you'll have to deal with Amazon lockscreen ads at this price (unless you upgrade for a fee), they're not locked down by US carriers.

8. Not everything is worth buying, in our opinion

There will be tons of amazing Amazon Prime Day deals for 2017, but we're not going to recommend every single item to you. That's a promise.

Instead, we'll listed out the best Prime Day deals in order of what we think you should buy. Last on the list, so far, is the Prime Dash buttons. You don't need it.

So while we'll include every deal that we see – and there will be hundreds – we don't steer you in the wrong direction about what you should buy today.

9. Amazon Prime Day is a 'members only' deal day

One thing that you should buy is an Amazon Prime subscription, or at least start the free 30-day trial today. You can always cancel it.

There's also an Amazon Prime Student discount (with a free six months). Either way you go, a Prime membership is the only way to get today's massive deals.

You also get two-day free shipping on most orders, Amazon Prime Instant Video, and a bunch of other extras we haven't lived without since it launched.

10. Didn't get want you wanted? Stay tuned

There's more where that came from can be the unofficial Amazon Prime Day motto, because the online retailer (and others) will be back in a few months.

We're already gearing up for our Black Friday and Cyber Monday plans, which kick off at the end of November. We'll do this deals thing all over again.

Also, Amazon isn't the only deals vendor in town today. Expect to see Walmart, Target and NewEgg to roll out their own deals to compete with Prime Day.

]]>Amazon Kindle vs Paperwhite vs Voyage vs Oasishttp://www.techradar.com/news/amazon-kindle-vs-paperwhite-vs-voyage-vs-oasis
http://www.techradar.com/news/amazon-kindle-vs-paperwhite-vs-voyage-vs-oasisLooking for the right Kindle for you? We can help you get them sorted.Fri, 07 Jul 2017 21:30:41 +0000techradar.comIt’s hard to believe that first Amazon Kindle was announced a decade ago in 2007, but here we are 10 years later and the e-tailer’s fledgling e-ink device has since seen three spin offs. With four different Kindles on the market – including the regular Kindle, Paperwhite, Voyage and Oasis – it can be hard to pick the right one for you when they all vary in price and features.

Luckily, we’ve compared all the current models to work out the differences and help you find the right one.

Kindle

The Kindle is your standard, entry level model. Despite being at the bottom rung of the Amazon’s e-reader hierarchy it has a 6-inch touchscreen boasting a 167 ppi resolution that displays decently sharp test. That said, the Kindle lacks a few features seen on its higher-end cousins including a built-in light for reading in the dark.

Kindle Paperwhite

The Kindle Paperwhite is a big step up from Amazon’s vanilla e-reader and arguably our favorite. First off, it features a newer e-ink technology named Carta that claims to offer a 50% increase in contrast and smoother page turns.

On top of this, the Paperwhite’s display is nearly twice as sharp as the standard Kindle – which Amazon updated in 2015 to match up with the Voyage and Oasis. It also offers a built-in lighting system, which consists of four LEDs that create a diffused illumination across the entire screen. Unlike an LCD screen you would find on an iPad or laptop, you to read for hours without the straining your eyes.

Kindle Voyage

Although the Kindle Voyage has a lot in common with the Paperwhite, it’s slimmer, lighter and has a screen that gets rid of the plastic bezels for a flush glass panel. Its biggest differentiator however is a set of haptic touch controls on the side that you can press to turn pages back and forth. This e-reader also features an evener lighting system with six LEDs and an adaptive light sensor that automatically sets the screen brightness.

Kindle Oasis

The Oasis is the most book-like e-reader out of the Kindle family and thus has the boxiest proportions. Despite its square shape, Amazon claims the Oasis is 30% thinner on average and 20% lighter than any of its other e-readers. All the while it has all the features of the Voyage and a few more.

The Oasis is the only Kindle that still features physical buttons for turning pages and while they might look like they’re right-handed biased, left-handed users can just flip the reader over for the same experience. You'll also see the longest battery life on the Oasis but only if you keep the included cover attached.